When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
You owners of a "BASE" C7, do you have a rear sway bar on the car from the factory? I've been told all the mounting holes are there but no bar is on the car and I'm trying to find out if that is normal or not....any suggestions??
Its actually about an hour, thr front needs to be changed to match rear, front on a base car is hollow, on a z51 its solid. I changed to z51 bars last week.
My 1Lt did not come with one. I just installed a rear Z51 bar yesterday on the floor of my garage in an hour. I have the front and will get around to swapping it out sometime...
Its actually about an hour, thr front needs to be changed to match rear, front on a base car is hollow, on a z51 its solid. I changed to z51 bars last week.
I put both bars on in 25 minutes not including jacking the car up. If I had a lift, 26 minutes.
I installed them on my LT1 right after I got the car. Gene on this forum has the complete kit down to every nut, bolt, and bushing at a great price. Got for it. Makes the car totally flat in maneuvering.
Does it need an alignment after the installs? Did you notice a difference in handling or ride after?
no alignment
yes, there is a difference....not a different car but the car rotates a bit better. you don't need the front sway bar, the Z51 is a little bigger but you probably won't notice....there is a bigger difference in the springs for sure.
the Z51 shocks help make it feel less wallowy.
I've got Z51 shocks, sways, wheels and tires, spoiler, etc....almost a wet sump Z51, lol......
eventually I'll sell the shocks in favor on coilovers.
Last edited by Higgs Boson; 09-25-2014 at 09:59 PM.
The z51 was designed for the sway bar kit on it. The base car was given a diff weaker front sway. Just my opin, but i would never put on the rear z51 setup and let the front stay a weaker sway. That's what Lashway recommended and also why Gene sells it as a kit.
The z51 was designed for the sway bar kit on it. The base car was given a diff weaker front sway. Just my opin, but i would never put on the rear z51 setup and let the front stay a weaker sway. That's what Lashway recommended and also why Gene sells it as a kit.
i agree they were designed together but the fact of the matter is the difference is VERY minor.
if you look at aftermarket sway bar history, many sets will raise the rear stiffness considerably over the front (deltas). the base model lacking a rear bar is purely a travesty, this is not a pickup truck.....
when I installed the rear bar I noticed a difference, when I installed the front bar a couple weeks later, not really. almost as if the car was designed as a Z51, then they backed everything off a notch, then removed the rear bar entirely......it's the biggest aspect of the suspension differences (except for potential MR).
i agree they were designed together but the fact of the matter is the difference is VERY minor.
if you look at aftermarket sway bar history, many sets will raise the rear stiffness considerably over the front (deltas). the base model lacking a rear bar is purely a travesty, this is not a pickup truck.....
when I installed the rear bar I noticed a difference, when I installed the front bar a couple weeks later, not really. almost as if the car was designed as a Z51, then they backed everything off a notch, then removed the rear bar entirely......it's the biggest aspect of the suspension differences (except for potential MR).
understood, I feel differently, when we held up the front base sway and the z51 sway, the weight was a considerable diff, but to each his own, I don't mind replacing the front when they are both cheap - a great $300 mod, I can tell a big diff
I will be curious to learn about the Z06 sway bar's, I installed them on my 99 FE1 coupe and 06 Z51 and liked the new feel even more than with the Z51 bars. Same with the shocks.
understood, I feel differently, when we held up the front base sway and the z51 sway, the weight was a considerable diff, but to each his own, I don't mind replacing the front when they are both cheap - a great $300 mod, I can tell a big diff
dont get me wrong, i replaced both as well, i am just saying that it isn't the end of the world and your car isn't going to slide off the road if you don't replace the front.
dont get me wrong, i replaced both as well, i am just saying that it isn't the end of the world and your car isn't going to slide off the road if you don't replace the front.
Plus it won't make a significant difference for a DD cruiser or a waxer...
Thank you for the referrals. We now sell the front and rear Z51 sway bar add-on kit with new front sway bar insulator bracket bolts for $296.66 + shipping. We sell so many that we put a stress on the GM system so it takes us approximately 7-10 business days to get the kits before we can ship them out. To order, click on the link below.
Glen / Higgs which installation method is preferred and did you each use, lifting using the body frame points or by using a drive on ramp? Suspension compressed vs hanging. If it even makes a difference. Thanks.
I'm trying to only do meaningful performance mods to by base C7 not cosmetic like with my '05 C6 Z51.
09-25-2014, 04:59 PM
"Base" C7 sway bar
Plus it won't make a significant difference for a DD cruiser or a waxer... 
